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Atkins Designed Six Port Actuator Valve Kit

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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 12:11 PM
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Atkins Designed Six Port Actuator Valve Kit

http://atkinsrotary.com/store/catalo...t-p-17847.html



Interesting. I wonder how these improve on Pineapple inserts inside stock sleeves. When you look at stock sleeves, you notice they have a step allowing for less friction. Easier turning. These are the same thickness the whole length. There are no inserts to fall out (makes me feel all warm and fuzzy), and the little rod is new, not worn like in typical stock sleeves from higher mile engines (as most of them are these days).

Anyone tested these in their engine yet?
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Old Sep 16, 2010 | 08:57 PM
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It looks like a nice idea, but personally, I think the price is a bit steep for something that will probably only be worth a couple percent more power.
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Old Sep 18, 2010 | 01:30 PM
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I have them in my gsl 13 6 port swap with a weber 45 dcoe. I haven't run the stock sleeves then the atkins sleeves to compare the two but they are a nicely made product and i figured its $50 for ramps that can fall in to the motor or $25 more for a nice billet product that has the possibility of flowing the same or more air was worth it. Plus yep they have new pins in them. It seems to me that the step on the stock sleeves just serves as a place to build up carbon so maybe the smooth design of the atkins sleeves has a purpose. Or a ease of manufacturing, probably both. I had heard the ramps were an 8hp gain, I would think the atkins sleeves would be somewhere along those lines.
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Old Sep 18, 2010 | 02:21 PM
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its nice to see companies coming out with new products for our cars period.
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Old Sep 18, 2010 | 04:43 PM
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A while back I considered making my own sleeves like these. From a machining standpoint they are not super complicated but they are also not super simple. 2 machining ops and a little 3d pocketing. $75 for a pair actually seems to be a pretty fair price.
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Old Sep 18, 2010 | 07:26 PM
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I was considering them, given that I am putting a 6-port in my car.

But then I thought, heck, I can make them with my own means.

The thing that gets me is that all airflow to the secondaries has to go past the actuator rods, and I don't much like that.
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Old Sep 18, 2010 | 11:33 PM
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[QUOTE=350swapblzr;10222998]I have them in my gsl 13 6 port swap with a weber 45 dcoe. I haven't run the stock sleeves then the atkins sleeves to compare the two but they are a nicely made product and i figured its $50 for ramps that can fall in to the motor or $25 more for a nice billet product that has the possibility of flowing the same or more air was worth it. Plus yep they have new pins in them. It seems to me that the step on the stock sleeves just serves as a place to build up carbon so maybe the smooth design of the atkins sleeves has a purpose. Or a ease of manufacturing, probably both. I had heard the ramps were an 8hp gain, I would think the atkins sleeves would be somewhere along those lines.[/QUOTE

how is it possible for an insert to fall into a motor ?
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Old Sep 21, 2010 | 05:26 PM
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Have you guys thought about filling the sleeve end with Devcon and shaping it with a die grinder or Dremel? Nothing to fall out. But I also find it hard to believe that a larger diameter insert could go into an engine.

GD
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Old Sep 22, 2010 | 06:45 AM
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Originally Posted by gawdodirt
Have you guys thought about filling the sleeve end with Devcon and shaping it with a die grinder or Dremel?
That'd be my plan.

But I also find it hard to believe that a larger diameter insert could go into an engine.
It doesn't, but an insert can break loose and slidehammer back and forth in the sleeve until it breaks the pin. The pin, as several have found, WILL go into the engine.
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Old Sep 22, 2010 | 11:42 PM
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an insert can break loose and slidehammer back and forth in the sleeve until it breaks the pin.

who's insert fits loose enough to slide that much in the sleeve.pineapple's fit tight,and they are aluminum,i don't see aluminum being able to break a steel pin,got any pics of this happening?
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Old Sep 23, 2010 | 11:11 AM
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I've never seen these before, are they new? I like them but I'm sure you can squeeze some better CFM or velocity by taking a die grinder to some areas near where it meets the plate.
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Old Sep 23, 2010 | 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted by 1BADSP
an insert can break loose and slidehammer back and forth in the sleeve until it breaks the pin.

who's insert fits loose enough to slide that much in the sleeve.pineapple's fit tight,and they are aluminum,i don't see aluminum being able to break a steel pin,got any pics of this happening?
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...sleeve+failure

I don't make stuff up.
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Old Sep 28, 2010 | 06:56 PM
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i now remember that post about the inserts,we still sell those inserts,with instructions.funny thing though,rob asked the customer to send the parts back for inspection to see what caused the problem so he could fix or redesign the insert so no one else would have any problems,he never received any of the damaged parts.as far as i know there has been only 2 problems with these,and both are from the same person.
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Old Oct 5, 2010 | 01:47 AM
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i just ordered a pair, as well as new intake gaskets to go along with them. hoping to see some sort of gains, will post results
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 03:10 AM
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should be here tomorrow, will get pictures
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 03:42 PM
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If the Pineapple inserts are installed properly, it is IMPOSSIBLE for them to slide out. It can't be done. You don't only clean the sleeves and then put a drop of epoxy or locktite on the end. You also slightly nick the sleeve right where the insert ends so there is metal sticking up to insure it can't move. If you neglect this step, the sleeve could potentially move backwards. If done properly as the instructions say, they are installed forever.

That thread also states a theory as to what happened with no actual proof. The reality is that the pin probably came out because it too was installed incorrectly. They only go in one way as one end is slightly larger in diameter than the other. It's not enough to see with the naked eye though. You can physically hammer the pin in backwards but it isn't tight and could work it's way out. This has happened to several people.

That whole thread basically highlights what can happen to your engine if you are a complete dumbass! These Atkins sleeves seem much nicer as they are one piece. I doubt there is a performance gain over the Pineapple inserts or even over shaped epoxy but they should work great. As long as the pin doesn't come out that is!
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 07:05 PM
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For what it's worth.

I was only answering the question of how the inserts can fall out.

Whether it is likely when properly installed or not is NOT the point - the point is that, it HAS happened, therefore it's not impossible.

I've learned long ago that if anything CAN happen, it WILL sooner or later. I've also seen things that CAN'T happen as well! My favorite - a pushrod engine (no pressurized oil passages anywhere in the heads) that somehow was leaking oil out of one of the exhaust manifold bolts. How? I have absolutely no idea, but I've seen it with my own eyes so I know that it is in the realm of possibility.

BTW - I stopped the leak by putting a copper washer on the manifold nut, so it wasn't dripping down from elsewhere. (cue X-Files music)
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 10:14 PM
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It can only fall out if improperly installed. If properly installed it is physically impossible. The fact that they have fallen out means that they have been improperly installed before.
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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 11:50 AM
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so i got these installed this weekend, along with new middle and upper intake gaskets (had a middle gasket leak). so the car seems to be a tad more responsive, but no marginal gains in power. for some reason, it seems as if the car is louder.

the quality of the pieces is phenomenal, you can tell they were designed for maximum air flow efficiency.

+1 for product, and some minor power gain

does require quite some time to install! especially with old, stuck gaskets
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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 02:35 PM
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damn, was hoping for the "wow" difference to tempt me into buying them too....
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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 02:45 PM
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I'll get these Atkins sleeves if my 6 port 12A requires new ones. I'll know more when I get to it.
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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 06:53 PM
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Originally Posted by 84stock
damn, was hoping for the "wow" difference to tempt me into buying them too....
i would 100% recomend these though, i went on a long drive and its then when i noticed the more "solid" feeling of the motor. Idles nice! i think i'll use these actuators at their full potential once i have my exhaust installed.

go for it dude, buy em!
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Old Apr 10, 2011 | 08:17 AM
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I know this is an old post but got some serious lol from canyontougeFC3S's "Idles nice" comment.
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Old Apr 10, 2011 | 11:05 AM
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Just like the pineapple sleeves, it is a damn shame Atkins doesn't do a before and after dyno pull to demonstrate "TRUE" results. If supporting mods like exhaust, etc contribute to the success then do a before and after with the said mods.

If it was my product, I would provide a free pair for the test and even compensate the expense of a dyno pull for the results if someone did all the labor and donated a test specimen. For the cost of the sleeves (marginal), 2 dyno pulls (maybe $200 tops) you get real results to publish!

When a manufacturer fails to go to this length it inspires some to think they "did", the results were lacking, so they never published them.

All you have to demonstrate is 5 hp and/or a smooth tranisition in the power curve as they opened and anyone taking their intake off or doing a rebuild will seriously consider them.
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Old Apr 10, 2011 | 11:09 AM
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I am sure when mazda tapered the sleeves on the rx8 they didn't just "do it" because someone thought it would work. And for certain they spent a ton on R&D. In comparison, $300 worth of proof is really cheap!
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